MISSION VIEJO, Calif. (October 21, 2015) – On Wednesday, October 21, 2015, an armed robbery occurred at the Fredric H. Rubel jewelry store inside The Shops at Mission Viejo located at 555 The Shops at Mission Viejo. Four male suspects entered the store and forcibly stole several jewelry items from inside the glass display cases. At least one of the suspects was armed with a handgun; however, no shots were fired and there were no injuries to any of the employees.

Shortly before 1:00 p.m., four male suspects entered the store and began smashing the glass jewelry display cases with a sledgehammer. One of the suspects pointed a handgun at employees and ordered them to the ground. The suspects were inside the store for approximately one minute and able to take an unknown amount of jewelry. Jewelry store employees are conducting an inventory to determine the value of their loss.

Several minutes later, witnesses reported that bags of jewelry were being thrown from a vehicle in the area of the 405 freeway near the Beach Boulevard exit, approximately 20 miles north of the location of the robbery. Investigators responded, located the bags and determined they contained items consistent with the loss from the jewelry store.

The suspects are described as male, African-Americans, wearing black masks and clothing. There are conflicting witness accounts of a suspect vehicle description seen leaving the mall.

Investigators are continuing to obtain information and collect evidence from both scenes. More information will be provided if it becomes available.

Anyone with information regarding additional victims is asked to call the Orange County Sheriff’s Department at (714) 647-7000. Anonymous tips may also be submitted to Orange County Crime Stoppers at 855-TIP-OCCS (855-847-6227) or at occrimestoppers.org.